The number of pedestrians and cyclists killed by distracted drivers has increased dramatically nationwide in recent years, a trend that concerns Buffalo NY personal injury lawyer James E. Morris of the Law Offices of James E. Morris, primarily because such accidents can often be prevented.

“We handle these types of cases and know that most car accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists can be prevented,” Morris said. “Too often, too many drivers simply fail to pay attention to what’s going on outside around them while they’re driving. As a result, serious, oftentimes fatal pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents happen far too often. Simply saying you couldn’t see someone riding a bike or walking across the street isn’t good enough. Reckless drivers that cause accidents that injure or kill pedestrians or bicyclists need to be held accountable for their actions.”

Fernando Wilson, an associate professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, wrote the study, according to Newsday. Wilson based his report on data from the U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System. The report compared distracted driving fatality statistics from 2005 to 2010.

In 2005, a total of 344 pedestrians and 56 bicyclists nationwide were killed by distracted drivers, Newsday reports. In 2010, both figures increased dramatically: 500 pedestrians died (an increase of 45 percent) and 73 cyclists were killed (30 percent increase), according to Newsday.

Wilson said such statistics came as no surprise to him. “We’re constantly exposed to distracted drivers,” Wilson told Newsday. “I don’t think there’s a day that I don’t see someone driving and using their cellphone.”

Buffalo NY distracted driving accident lawyer James E. Morris agreed. “People’s lives are at stake every time a driver chooses to text while driving,” Morris said. “These senseless accidents are no accident. Just like drunk driving, distracted drivers make a conscious decision to text and drive at the same time. Add to that the fact that texting while driving is against the law in New York State and there’s absolutely no excuse for such reckless behavior. That’s why we fight so hard for the rights of families that have lost a loved one due to an accident caused by a distracted driver. Your loved one didn’t do anything wrong. Why should your family have to suffer due to someone else’s reckless behavior?”

Morris said an attorney can help victims pursue compensation for their losses. He said lawyers can hold the negligent individual or company accountable and send a message that careless behavior won’t be tolerated in New York.

Including New York State, 41 states and the District of Columbia have laws banning texting while driving for all drivers, according to Governors Highway Safety Association website, which was last updated in December 2013.

For more information about what to do after a distracted driving accident in New York and the legal options available to pedestrians and cyclists, call (716) 855-1118 or toll-free at (800) 477-9044 for a free case evaluation or complete the online contact form.

About the Law Offices of James E. Morris

James E. Morris is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and the University at Buffalo Law School. He has been practicing law in Western New York for more than 25 years. Morris has achieved the highest rating of "10.0 Superb" by national independent rating service Avvo and "AV Preeminent®" by Martindale-Hubbell. In 2004, he formed his practice, which is 100 percent devoted to personal injury and wrongful death litigation. The law firm does not charge any legal fees unless their client is victorious.